Ordinance Restricts Medical Marijuana Use In Homes

JACKSON (AP) – A new ordinance in Jackson will require medical marijuana users and caregivers to use only 20 percent of their homes for drug use and cultivation.

The measure that passed Tuesday night by a 4-3 vote of the Jackson City Council is scheduled to go into effect Sept. 12, the Jackson Citizen Patriot reported.

Kimberly Jaquish was among the council members who voted against the ordinance.

“I don’t think people should be restricted in their homes in any way,” she said. “Your house is your castle. We shouldn’t be involved in your home.”

Dozens of medical marijuana advocates at the meeting walked out after the vote. Joe Cain organized a protest ahead of the meeting and spoke to City Council about the ordinance. He said he and others plan to sue to block the regulation.

“I respect the law,” said Cain, who owns Medical Marijuana Farmers Market. “You’ve been told 50 times by attorneys and by everyone that what you’re doing is illegal and conflicts with state law. You don’t respect the law.”

Michigan voters approved marijuana for some chronic medical conditions in 2008, but the state Supreme Court ruled in January that medical marijuana dispensaries aren’t allowed. Michigan has roughly 130,000 registered users of medical marijuana.

Two other possible restrictions were struck from the Jackson ordinance. Those would have required renters to provide a statement from their landlord allowing medical marijuana use and prohibit “combustible materials” in a home where medical marijuana is grown.